If you follow me on Twitter and Instagram, you may know that for the past couple of months I have been a candidate to become a member of the 2015 Disney Parks Moms Panel.
Disney Parks Moms Panel
Why have I not been more vocal about this here? It’s simple. I’m not a mom. Some might think it’s quite silly for a childless person to want to be a part of something called a Moms Panel. However, the Disney Parks Moms Panel really has very little to do with being a mom. More than anything, it’s about helping Disney Parks Guests plan their vacations. Anyone who knows me well knows that something like this is right up my alley. Still, for years I have applied and the selection committee has never even blinked at me twice. I always assumed it was because I lacked the whole kids thing, but this time was different!
See, looking back, I really think the reason I never advanced past the first round of applications had less to do with my lack of children and more to do with my lack of effort. As much as I wanted to be a part of the panel, deep down inside I never really tried. I think somewhere in the dark recesses of my psyche, I thought if I didn’t really take it seriously, it would be easy to assume my failure was due to my childless state and not because of me. It would also be really easy to get that rejection, and it was.
This time I did something else. I tried. I tried really hard! I put everything I had into the process. Not only that, but I liked the work I submitted. I still assumed that as soon as the selection committee found out I didn’t have kids, I would be done, but I was going to ride that wave for as long as they would let me.
The first round did not contain any questions that would give it away that I wasn’t a mom. We did have to submit a Disney family photo, but my favorite family photo is of our whole clan, my parents, my sister, her husband, and their 4 kids. It wasn’t obvious in the photo that none of the kids were mine so even my Disney Side photo didn’t give it away.
Disney Side Family Photo
We often travel to Disney the same week each year, and we’ve been on a Disney Cruise Line cruise together. So, it’s not like I don’t know what it’s like to travel with kids or even plan a trip with their needs in mind. About 5 weeks later, I got a magical email! For the first time in forever, I had advanced to Round 2!
Round 2 Email
My elation quickly turned to panic when I saw what Round 2 entailed. There were 8 essay questions and a 71 second video that had to be submitted. Two of the questions were the source of my panic. I had to tell the committee about myself in 100 words or less and I had to tell about my family in 200 words or less. There was no way around it. They would know my secret and surely toss me to the curb. I agonized for days about this. Do I talk about my nieces and nephew without referring to them as such and let them draw their own conclusions? Do I skip over the fact that I have no kids and pretend it’s not there? What I finally decided to do is wear it like a badge. I dealt with it head-on. I wanted them to know I am childless and I wanted them to want me anyway. Guess what!? They did! About 3 weeks later another magical email arrived inviting me to Round 3!
Round 3 Email
I really started believing this could be possible. I began to want it more than I think I’ve ever wanted anything. I knew I was still a long shot, but the thing about being a long shot is you still get a shot.
Round 3 consisted of a 15 minute phone interview with Gary Buchanan, a man I admire and respect a great deal. For me, he embodies the spirit of Walt Disney himself. When I found out I was actually going to get to talk to him, I felt like I had already won. Following the interview was a Round 4 Moms Panel question that had to be answered in 45 minutes or less. Then came the longest week of my life.
Yesterday was announcement day, and was filled with enormous anticipation! Finally, my email came, and for the first time in this year’s process, it was not what I had hoped it would be.
The nicest rejection letter I have ever gotten
I cannot even begin to explain the emotions I felt. Sadness for not making it, pride for being a finalist, pain for others who didn’t make it, pain for Gary because it wasn’t easy for him either, excitement for those who did make it, confusion over what I could have done differently, emptiness for something I tried so hard to get but didn’t, love from friends and family who supported me are just a few of the emotions I went through.
So, why is failing not failing? What I got out of this may be worth more than a spot on the panel. I got validation. I’m an easy one to say no to. I don’t even fit the profile of what they are looking for. Yet, members of the Disney marketing and PR team noticed me. Me! They noticed my writing ability. They noticed my passion. They may not have ultimately picked me, but I know I made them pause and think about it.
Would I still like a spot on the panel? Absolutely! At the same time, I wouldn’t trade what I’ve learned about myself through all of this for one. Don’t think for a second I won’t be trying again next year, though.
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Found your tweet about this post on the DisneyMP rd2 twitter list! Great post! I’m now following your blog and look forward to future posts from you! 🙂 #Keepsmilin
Oh, thank you so much, Mike!!
Beautifully written! I share your sentiments and what you said about being noticed started the water works again. So true. While I’m sad, I’m still incredibly proud that they noticed me. 🙂
Thank you, Pamela!
ALWAYS ALWAYS be proud of yourself!!! Even though I didn’t make it as far as you did, I am proud of what I submitted. And now I have a whole year to make it even better for next year, when M-Town takes the Disney MP by storm 🙂
Yes, Kristen!!!!